Basic Research Terms Research—the process of finding information relevant to a particular topic Source—any medium that provides information relevant to a particular topic

Primary Sources Definition: “first-hand” sources; information you gather yourself Examples: interviews, surveys, experiments, observations Advantages: This information is about your topic specifically.

Secondary Sources Definition: “second-hand” sources; information that you access that has been gathered by someone else. Examples: books, newspaper articles, magazine articles, websites, studies, product brochures, manuals, etc. Advantages: Someone else has done the work for you; you just have to locate the source.

Research Strategy Identify research needs/questions. What am I looking for? Find sources that provide this information. Where do I look? Evaluate sources to determine which are the most informative and convincing. How do I know the information is relevant and reliable?

1. Identify Research Needs/Questions 1) Enhancing Knowledge Sources provide knowledge beyond your own. 2) Enhancing Credibility (the degree to which you are convincing or believable) Sources provide support or evidence for what you claim

Example: Wayfinding at IVCC What information do we need to find to enhance our own knowledge? What information do we need to find to convince our readers? What questions do we need our research to answer?

Research Questions Do other students actually see wayfinding at IVCC as a problem? Do guests to campus see it as a problem? What have other colleges done to improve wayfinding on their campuses? Are there any relevant ADA requirements related to wayfinding? What wayfinding apps exist?

2. Find Sources Identifying primary research options Locating secondary sources

Primary Research Options Interview One-on-one questions/answers with an expert Often focuses on open-ended questions Personal, Phone, E-mail Survey Series of questions for individuals in a group Usually generates statistical data Polls, questionnaires

Interviews for Wayfinding? Director of Physical Plant VP Student Services Long-time faculty Someone at another school that has enhanced wayfinding Company/consultant

Interviews Make a list of your questions. More efficient gathering of information. Reflects well on you the researcher.

Phrase each question narrowly enough to keep to the point, but open-ended enough to allow the interviewee to expand. NOT: Tell me about the importance of wayfinding at IVCC. INSTEAD: What do you think IVCC does well to help students and visitors find their way around campus? In what ways do you think IVCC could do better in this area?

Don’t phrase questions in a way that leads the interviewee to answer what you want to hear (leading questions). NOT: Why is wayfinding so terrible at IVCC? INSTEAD: What do you think IVCC does well to help students and visitors find their way around campus? In what ways do you think IVCC could do better in this area?

Send a list of questions in advance. Gives interviewee time to generate answers. Reflects well on you. When the interview is over, ask permission to collect follow-up information. Other questions may arise. Keeps door of communication open.

Always send a thank you note. Acquire the interviewee’s permission to use their words and/or ideas in your project. Courtesy. Avoiding legal action. Always send a thank you note. Common courtesy toward a busy person. Establishes a positive relationship.

Other Be accurate with information gathered. Record with permission. Schedule a week in advance if possible Be on time and be concise (1/2 hour). Be professional.

Surveys Used to gain public or group opinion, typically through statistical data Wayfinding options? Students Faculty/Staff Visitors Typically distributed to a segment of the public or group, unless it’s small

Sample Representative segment of the population being surveyed Example: At IVCC, 3 out of 4 student find it difficult to find their classrooms. Valid sample? Number and make-up of sample determines validity of survey

First Task Determine your representative sample. What group? Which individuals? How many? (Depends on who is being surveyed)

Guidelines Word the questions clearly. Ask for only one piece of information in each question. Make sure that the wording of the question doesn’t imply the “correct” answer. If possible, include a range of response options beyond a simple “yes” or “no.” Try to allow for an even number of responses.

Design the survey so the results will be easy to tabulate (i. e Design the survey so the results will be easy to tabulate (i.e. rankings, multiple choice) Place open-ended questions at the end of the survey. Test the survey before you distribute it. Other Try to limit length to one page. Ask for permission to distribute.

Secondary Sources Definition: “second-hand” sources; information that you access that has been gathered by someone else. Examples: books, newspaper articles, magazine articles, websites, studies, product brochures, manuals, etc. Advantages: Someone else has done the work for you; you just have to locate the source.

Finding Secondary Sources Library databases for journal, magazine, newspaper articles, etc. Internet search engines for websites.

Internet Google Settings, Advanced Search all these words this exact word or phrase any of these words last update site or domain etc.

Evaluating Sources Is the source really relevant? Is it current? Is its author credible? Is it well-researched? Is it unbiased? Is that Internet source really reliable?

Evaluating Websites Search for author/organization (Use About Us, Company Info, etc.) Contact author/organization Check the links Examine sources, if any Check posting or updated date Note overall quality of site Note domain: .com, .gov, .edu, etc.

Avoid wikis and information mill sites Wikipedia About.com eHow.com Etc. See p. 206-07.